Ladder



2 Sheets Sheet 1t (No ModeL) T- B- BENNETT,

LADDERl Patented Oct. 10, 1893.

Tennea.-

(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. T. B. BENNETT.

LADDER. l

No. 506,411. Patented Oct. 10, 1893. A

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS B. BENNETT, OF ORIOLE, MISSOURI.

LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 506,411, dated October 10, 1893.

Application led December 9, 1892. Serial No. 454,591. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. BENNETT, of Oriole, county of Cape Girardeau, and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to produce a portable ladder, which, being mounted upon wheels, may be conveniently transported from place to place, and is therefore especially adapted for gathering fruit, or the like.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my ladder, showing the extensible part in the elevated position. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 isa front elevation thereof.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 indicates an axle, upon which are carried two wheels 2, and with which are united hand supports 3. The axle and the hand-supports combine to form the frame of my ladder-support.

4 indicates a supporting prong upon each of the hand supports adjacent to the handle. They are preferably made of metal, and may be secured to the hand-supports by suitable means, as for example screws, one end of each of them being preferably prolonged, as indicated at 5, to form a strengthening plate upon the bottom of the hand-support. Each of the prongs is pointedat its lower extremity, and is provided with a heel 6. The prong in practice is inserted in the ground, and serves to prevent the frame from moving in one direction; while the heel, being somewhat downwardly inclined, serves to prevent its movement in the other direction until the points of the prongs are lifted out of the earth. The wheels meantime may be held stationary by brake-arms 7 and 8,pivoted respectively to the hand-supports, and unitedby links 9 so as to render the movement of one dependent upon that of the other. One of the brake-arms is elongated so as to project beyond the hand-support opposite to the wheel against which it brakes, andv is connected by a rod l0 to a pivoted lever ll that is provided with suitable fastening mechanism, as for example a blade 12 which engages with a rack'13 secured to the hand-support.

14 indicates a ladder of any ordinary and usual construction pivotally secured to the hand-supports by a transverse rod 15, for example. The ladder may be held erect, and its angle of inclination to the frame adjusted by side pieces 17 that are pivoted to the'opposite sides of the ladder. They are controlled by suitable adjusting mechanism upon the hand-supports, as for exam ple that illustrated in the drawings, in which metallic bands 18, firmly secured to the hand-supports are provided for the reception of the ends of the side supports. Each of the bands is provided with an opening 19, and its hand-supportis pierced with a similar opposite opening 20, through which a pin 2ly may be inserted. The ends of the side supports are provided with graduated openings 22, also designed .toV receive the pins by adjusting the lengths of the side supports, and fastening them by the insertion. ofthe pins into the holes provided for them the position of the ladder may be conveniently adj usted and 'Iirmlysecured 23 indicates an extensible ladder, preferably of a Width to fit loosely between the side pieces of the main ladder, so that the former may be guided by the latter in its movement. Y 24 indicates a pulley upon the top of th main ladder. z Y

25 indicates a similar pulley upon one o'f the hand-supports.

V26 indicates a drum carried in suitable bearings`27, and nrovided with a vcrank 28,

by which it may be rotated. p

29 indicates a rope, which is fastened at one end to the lower extremity of the extensible ladder, and having been passed around the pulleys 24 and 25, is fastened at its other end to the drum 26.

30 indicates gravity catches, pivotally secured to the inner sides of the side pieces of the extensible ladder, and which, when the extensible 'ladder is hauled upward by the rotation of the drum, engage with the rungs as they pass them, respectively, and are adapted to hold the extensible ladderat the desired elevation. j

31 indicates a band passing across the main ladder and secured irmly'to its opposite sides. It is ldesigned to aid the catches in holding the extensible ladder upon the main ladder, and also to interrupt the upward movement ing too high. It performs this olice in strik- IOO catches for holding the extensible ladder upon the main ladder, pulleys upon the main ladder and upon the frame, a drum, and a rope fastened at one end to the lower extremity of the extensible ladder and fastened around pulleys at'the other end to the drum, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

THOMAS B. BENNETT. Witnesses:

W. W. BONNEY, T. F. BLOCK. 

